Fulbright Teacher Exchange

Family, Friends and Readers,

A couple of months ago, the Fulbrighters were informed that this program's funding had been cut drastically.  So much so, that as it now stands, I am in the last group of US teachers to teach in the UK as a Fulbrighter.  I understand that our government is making cuts in a wide variety of areas, but this has me truly heartbroken to think that this opportunity will not be opened up to others.  It has taken me a while to get all of my thoughts written down, and when I finally did sit down to write a letter, I realized how truly passionate about this I am.  I have copied the long-winded letter below.  I have sent it on to the co-ordinators of this program along with members of Congress from Alabama.  If you have any contacts with the "powers that be" please let me know or send this on to them.

Thank you for your help and support.

To Whom It May Concern:

My guess is that you have had many travel opportunities throughout your lifetime.  It is through the opportunities that your eyes have been opened to the beauty and wonder around you.  No doubt, you have also come into contact with people who have different beliefs and customs from yourself, and yet, in meeting them, you have realized that they are very similar to yourself.

My name is Rebecca Smith, and like yourself, I’ve had many travel opportunities that have opened my eyes to the incredible world beyond my home town of Birmingham, Alabama.  Despite the fact that I teach 4^th grade in one of the top districts in the state, many of my students have not traveled outside of the state, some have never traveled outside of Birmingham.  For many of those who have traveled beyond the Alabama state line, it is to the beaches of Florida or the Six Flags theme park in Atlanta.  How, may I ask you, are my students ever to truly learn about the world around them?  How are they ever going to learn of cultures that are so different from our own?  How are they going to learn that people, no matter the color of their skin or their religious beliefs, are people with similar hopes and dreams to their very own?  The answer, in fact, is much simpler than it may seem: through me.

Sure, with technology the way it is these days, children can research Cape Town or even get a bird’s eye view of a street in Hong Kong.  But reading something on the internet, or watching a video doesn’t really show what the citizens of that country are like.  Experiencing these places first hand, interacting with locals, sharing meals with them and seeing their history is the only true way to learn what makes that country truly unique.

I have always loved to travel.  My parents thought travel experiences were very important and brought me up with many opportunities to travel throughout the United States and abroad.  While I was earning my degree at Auburn University, I spent one summer in Italy and I completed my student teaching in New Zealand.  It was only through spending time in these countries that I fell so in love with my own country.  Of course, the gelato in Florence and the many sheep in New Zealand were things I had a hard time leaving behind, but these living abroad experiences made me appreciate America even more.  I also learned a greater respect and understanding for others.  Unfortunately, too often, we as Americans tend to see ourselves as the biggest and the best.  We are a very fortunate country with wonderful resources and opportunities, but we cannot let these thoughts blind us to the cultures of others.  Just because our culture works for us, that doesn’t mean it is right for everyone.  Other people around the world have been living with their own governments and own ways of life for hundreds, even thousands of years longer than we have, and they are doing just fine.

We expect our children to grow up and become our nation’s leaders.  How can they do that if they have never set foot outside of their own backyard?  How can they sit down and debate issues with Japan, Germany or Egypt if they have no understanding of a culture outside of their own?  Teachers.

We teachers have a huge responsibility upon our shoulders.  Our job is not only to teach children how to read and perform mathematical operations, but to open their eyes to the world around them.  Our job is to make them curious so that they will seek answers on their own.  Our job is to teach children how to respect and appreciate new ideas, new cultures and differences.

In my classroom, almost on a daily basis, I share about a historic sight, beautiful landscape or unique culture from one of my many travels.  I do this very simply through a little blue elephant named Herman.  He is my travel companion, but as far as the kids are concerned, he is a magical elephant who travels the world at night and sends back photographs to them.  The kids are fascinated by the wonders of the world around them.  They absolutely love learning about new places, people and cultures.  Their curiosity is sparked and each of them leave my classroom with an appreciation about other places and often a great desire to travel.

I recently read an article about supporting teacher’s travels.  The article, from the Huffington Post said, “Without crossing a single border, teachers empower young people to roam the globe.”  The article also reported that, “Research suggests that travelers are more engaged and active citizens -- more likely to report volunteering or charitable giving. In addition, eight out of 10 American travelers surveyed report higher civic engagement than the general population.”  So, those who travel show more involvement in their home country.  But, when teachers travel, it does not just affect themselves, but those hundreds, even thousands of students whose lives they will touch.  Imagine that ripple effect!  How great could our own country be if all of our teachers had opportunities to travel abroad?

This year, I have had the incredible opportunity to teach in England as part of the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program.  You know of the Fulbright program, a prestigious organization set up in the 1940s to build international relationships.  Senator Fulbright, the founder, said the program, “aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship.”  I have been honored to be a part of this organization this year, and truly humbled by the responses I receive from people when they hear that I am part of the Fulbright program.

This year, I have stepped way out of my comfort zone to live and work in a foreign country where I knew virtually no one.  Teaching at a middle school in a small village, I have been able to reach the lives of each of the over 400 pupils and staff members at the school.  I’ve spoken to the school about Thanksgiving and Martin Luther King, Jr..  I planned an entire day on the 4^th of July devoted to learning about and celebrating America.  Children sang “This Land is Your Land” in their British accents, heard more about why we separated from England, baked chocolate chip cookies, played baseball, participated in potato-sack races, learned of the varying geography of the United States, and waved their very own American flags.  I have taught a class throughout the year to over 60 pupils solely devoted to teaching the children all about America.  They’ve learned about our history, our money, American football, line dances, food, celebrations, weather, Helen Keller, Rosa Parks, government and even grits.  At the end of each term, I asked the pupils if their opinions on America had changed.  These were some of the responses that I received:

• “There’s more to America than casinos, massive food, surfers and baseball.”

• “Yes, at first I thought all Americans were puffy (pudgy) but now I’ve realized most are very skinny.”

• “There’s more to America than just casinos, fat people, drugs, sea surfers and the rest of it.”

• “Yes, they are very nice and kind (more than I thought) and understanding.”

• “Yes, I now know more about the country than Hollywood and New York.”

• “Yes, I think they are good people towards the world.”

• “Yes, I thought that people were all quite rich.  But I realize that they are just like us.”

I cannot begin to imagine the effects that this year will have.  I know that the pupils I have come into contact with this year now have a greater understanding and appreciation of America.  I know that the future students of my exchange partner, Kelly, will also have a greater understanding and appreciation of America.  I also know that all of Kelly’s students this year have a greater understanding and appreciation of England, just as will all of my future students.  The effects of this year are truly exponential when you start to include the families of each of these students and all of those other people we have met along the way.

This year, I have also had the chance to meet other teachers from around the United States.  We have built up a network of communication, opening lines that will continue to be avenues where we share information and teaching strategies.  It is through them that I have also learned more about my home country.

But something horrible has happened.  As of right now, I am in the very last group of teachers who will ever have an opportunity to teach in England with the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program.  Funding for the program has been cut drastically and only a few countries still have this opportunity.  It is quite possible that next year will be their last year as well.

I am absolutely horrified to think that a program built to build international relationships has been cut.  What does this say about our country?  What does this say about our relationship with other countries?

Please do not think that I am ignorant of the financial strain on our country.  I am thankful that it is not myself who is faced with deciding which programs should be cut, but I beg of you to consider the effect that this will have, or perhaps I should say the lack of effect that this will have on the future leaders or our country.

I beg of you to do whatever you can to keep funding to this program.  I understand cuts might need to be made, but a total cut to the program is absolutely unthinkable.  I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that this program has given me.  I have grown as a person and as a professional.  These effects will be long lasting and immeasurable.  I am heartbroken to think that other teachers will not have this same opportunity.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Smith